2Chronicles:17-18

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* And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead , and strengthened himself against Israel . * And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah , and set garrisons in the land of Judah , and in the cities of Ephraim , which Asa his father had taken . * And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat , because he walked in the first ways of his father David , and sought not to Baalim ; * But sought to the Lord God of his father , and walked in his commandments , and not after the doings of Israel . * Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand ; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents ; and he had riches and honor in abundance . * And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD : moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah . * Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes , even to Benhail , and to Obadiah , and to Zechariah , and to Nethaneel , and to Michaiah , to teach in the cities of Judah . * And with them he sent Levites , even Shemaiah , and Nethaniah , and Zebadiah , and Asahel , and Shemiramoth , and Jehonathan , and Adonijah , and Tobijah , and Tobadonijah , Levites ; and with them Elishama and Jehoram , priests . * And they taught in Judah , and had the book of the law of the LORD with them , and went about throughout all the cities of Judah , and taught the people . * And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah , so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat . * Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents , and tribute silver ; and the Arabians brought him flocks , seven thousand and seven hundred rams , and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats . * And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly ; and he built in Judah castles , and cities of store . * And he had much business in the cities of Judah : and the men of war , mighty men of valor , were in Jerusalem . * And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers : Of Judah , the captains of thousands ; Adnah the chief , and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand . * And next to him was Jehohanan the captain , and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand . * And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri , who willingly offered himself to the LORD ; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor . * And of Benjamin ; Eliada a mighty man of valor , and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand . * And next him was Jehozabad , and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war . * These waited on the king , beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah . * Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance , and joined affinity with Ahab . * And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria . And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance , and for the people that he had with him , and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead . * And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah , Will you go with me to Ramothgilead ? And he answered him , I am as you are , and my people as your people ; and we will be with you in the war . * And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel , Inquire , I pray you , at the word of the LORD to day . * Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men , and said to them , Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And they said , Go up ; for God will deliver it into the king ' hand . * But Jehoshaphat said , Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides , that we might inquire of him ? * And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , There is yet one man , by whom we may inquire of the LORD : but I hate him ; for he never prophesied good to me , but always evil : the same is Micaiah the son of Imla . And Jehoshaphat said , Let not the king say so . * And the king of Israel called for one of his officers , and said , Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla . * And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne , clothed in their robes , and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria ; and all the prophets prophesied before them . * And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron , and said , Thus said the LORD , With these you shall push Syria until they be consumed . * And all the prophets prophesied so , saying , Go up to Ramothgilead , and prosper : for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king . * And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him , saying , Behold , the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent ; let your word therefore , I pray you , be like one of their ', and speak you good . * And Micaiah said , As the LORD lives , even what my God said , that will I speak . * And when he was come to the king , the king said to him , Micaiah , shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And he said , Go you up , and prosper , and they shall be delivered into your hand . * And the king said to him , How many times shall I adjure you that you say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD ? * Then he said , I did see all Israel scattered on the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd : and the LORD said , These have no master ; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace . * And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good to me , but evil ? * Again he said , Therefore hear the word of the LORD ; I saw the LORD sitting on his throne , and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left . * And the LORD said , Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel , that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead ? And one spoke saying after this manner , and another saying after that manner . * Then there came out a spirit , and stood before the LORD , and said , I will entice him . And the LORD said to him , With which ? * And he said , I will go out , and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets . And the Lord said , You shall entice him , and you shall also prevail : go out , and do even so . * Now therefore , behold , the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets , and the LORD has spoken evil against you . * Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near , and smote Micaiah on the cheek , and said , Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak to you ? * And Micaiah said , Behold , you shall see on that day when you shall go into an inner chamber to hide yourself . * Then the king of Israel said , Take you Micaiah , and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city , and to Joash the king ' son ; * And say , Thus said the king , Put this fellow in the prison , and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction , until I return in peace . * And Micaiah said , If you certainly return in peace , then has not the LORD spoken by me . And he said , Listen , all you people . * So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead . * And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , I will disguise myself , and I will go to the battle ; but put you on your robes . So the king of Israel disguised himself ; and they went to the battle . * Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him , saying , Fight you not with small or great , save only with the king of Israel . * And it came to pass , when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat , that they said , It is the king of Israel . Therefore they compassed about him to fight : but Jehoshaphat cried out , and the LORD helped him ; and God moved them to depart from him . * For it came to pass , that , when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel , they turned back again from pursuing him . * And a certain man drew a bow at a venture , and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness : therefore he said to his chariot man , Turn your hand , that you may carry me out of the host ; for I am wounded . * And the battle increased that day : however , the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even : and about the time of the sun going down he died . * And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem .

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